Congressional BasicsQualifications for the House of Representatives
Article I section 2 of the U.S. Constitution sets three requirements for being a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. These three qualifications state that each representative must be of 25 years of age or older, must be a citizen of the United States for at least the past 7 years, and must be an inhabitant of the state he or she represents at the time of election. Also, under the Fourteenth Amendment, any officer who swears oath to the Constitution and later participates in rebellious activities or aids enemies of the United States is subject to disqualification from becoming a representative.
  • Salary for House members - $165,200

Benefits and Perks
  • Receive travel allowances
  • Tax deductions for two residences
  • Health and retirement benefits
  • Free printing
  • Use of facilities in the Capitol
  • Legal immunity for statements made while Congress is in session

4 Voting Philosophies

  1. Trustee- trusted by the citizens to pick the best options for the state
  2. Delegate- vote on how the citizens back home in their state want
  3. Partisan- vote on how the party wants, going against what the his or her constituents want
  4. Politico- vote on what helps the delegate politically to get re-elected

external image house.jpg